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Post by why@right.to on Feb 5, 2002 22:39:49 GMT -5
In the past, i've advocated using credit cards to get the best exchange rate. but have read something which convinces me otherwise.
On the ricksteves.com website, a cogent argument was made: places budget travelers frequent, businesses with a relatively lean profit margin, can't pay the 3 - 5% fee the card company charges them and not go belly up. So, the really frugal places just don't take cards! Or, if you find a place that does, you could offer to pay cash in exchange for a discount. [Credit card companieswould undoubtedly frown on this, so it'd have to be under the table]
If you would buy something anyway from a place that takes credit cards, and you can't negotiate a lower price for paying cash, you still would come out ahead by paying with plastic.
I hope all this makes sense.
- d
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snorkelman
Senior Travel Member
Travel Guru
Posts: 220
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Post by snorkelman on Feb 7, 2002 12:34:31 GMT -5
interesting thoughts. I always carry plastic and use it wherever i can, but i also know that some places will not accept it. Just like in the US, you cannot use a credit card for most cheap food (fast food restaurants and street venders). Also, credit cards will not help you get bus tickets in many places, or a newspaper or something else that doesn't cast much. If you carry some cash with you, you can always take advantage of the cheap places that do not take credit cards.
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